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Firestone Firehawk SZ90

The Firestone Firehawk SZ90 is a High Performance Summer tire designed to be fitted to Passenger Cars.

6.5
Tire Reviews Score Based on Professional Tests & User Reviews
Medium Confidence View Breakdown
Dry Grip
76%
Wet Grip
67%
Road Feedback
73%
Handling
69%
Wear
68%
Comfort
60%
Buy again
54%
25 Reviews
67% Average
267,290 miles driven
6 Tests (avg: 12th)
Firestone Firehawk SZ90

Firestone Firehawk SZ90

Summer Mid-Range
BETA
6.5 / 10
Based on Professional Tests & User Reviews · Medium Confidence · Updated 23 Feb 2026

The Tire Reviews Score is the most comprehensive tire scoring system available. It aggregates professional test data from multiple independent publications, user reviews, and consistency analysis using Bayesian statistical methods, weighted normalisation, and recency-adjusted scoring to produce a single, reliable performance rating.

Learn more about our methodology
Value
50.4
0.42x / 1 test
Wet
48.7
2x / 4 tests
Dry
42.4
1.8x / 4 tests
Comfort
40
0.32x / 1 test

Cross-category scores are derived metrics that combine data from multiple test disciplines to evaluate real-world performance characteristics.

Handling
48.4
4 tests
Braking
43.3
4 tests
Score Components
Professional Tests
Weight: 80%
Tests: 6
Publications: 4
Period: 2010 - 2017
User Reviews
Weight: 15%
Reviews: 25
Avg Rating: 66.9%
Min Required: 5
Consistency
Weight: 5%
Score Std Dev: 0.19
History Points: 10
Methodology & Configuration
Scoring Process
  1. Collect Test Data: Gather results from professional tire tests across multiple publications. Minimum 1 test(s) required.
  2. Normalize Positions: Convert test positions to percentile scores using exponential weighting (factor: 1.2).
  3. Apply Recency Weighting: More recent tests are weighted higher with a decay rate of 0.95.
  4. Incorporate User Reviews: Factor in user review data (minimum 5 reviews). Weight: 15%.
  5. Bayesian Smoothing: Apply Bayesian prior (score: 7, weight: 1.5) to prevent extreme scores with limited data.
  6. Calculate Final Score: Combine all components using normalization factor of 1.1. Max score with limited data: 9.5.
Component Weights
Test Data
80%
User Reviews
15%
Consistency
5%
All Configuration Parameters
ParameterValueDescription
safety_weight 0.7 Weight multiplier for safety-related metrics
performance_weight 0.55 Weight multiplier for performance metrics
comfort_weight 0.4 Weight multiplier for comfort metrics
value_weight 0.45 Weight multiplier for value-for-money metrics
user_reviews_weight 0.15 How much user reviews contribute to the final score
test_data_weight 0.8 How much professional test data contributes to the final score
consistency_weight 0.05 How much score consistency contributes to the final score
recency_decay_rate 0.95 Rate at which older test results lose influence (higher = slower decay)
min_test_count 1 Minimum number of professional tests required
min_review_count 5 Minimum number of user reviews required
score_version 1.9 Current version of the scoring algorithm
score_normalization_factor 1.1 Factor used to normalize raw scores to the 0-10 scale
confidence_factor_weight 0.2 How much data confidence affects the final score
position_penalty_weight 0.2 Penalty applied for poor test positions
gap_penalty_threshold 12 Score gap (%) that triggers additional penalties
min_metrics_count 2 Minimum number of test metrics needed per test
limited_data_threshold 2 Number of tests below which data is considered limited
single_test_penalty 0.75 Score multiplier when only one test is available
critical_metric_penalty 0.7 Penalty for poor performance on critical safety metrics
critical_metric_threshold 70 Score below which a critical metric penalty applies
position_exponential_factor 1.2 Exponent used to amplify position-based scoring
position_exponential_threshold 0.9 Position percentile below which exponential scoring applies
gap_multiplier_critical 3 Multiplier for critical gap penalties
max_category_weight 2 Maximum weight any single category can have
max_score_limited_data 9.5 Score cap when data is limited
bayesian_prior_weight 1.5 Weight of the Bayesian prior in smoothing
bayesian_prior_score 7 Prior score used for Bayesian smoothing
evidence_test_multiplier 1.9 Multiplier for test evidence in confidence calculation
evidence_metric_divisor 3 Divisor for metric count in evidence calculation
evidence_review_divisor 10 Divisor for review count in evidence calculation
combined_penalty_floor 0.2
Data Sources
TestPublicationDateSizePositionMetrics
2017 Auto Bild UHP Tire Test Auto Bild Sportscars 2017 245/40 R18 9/9 6 metrics
2017 Auto Bild Sports Cars Tire Test Auto Bild Sportscars 2017 235/35 R19 8/9 4 metrics
2016 ADAC Tire Test - 225/45 R17 ADAC 2016 225/45 R17 12/16 0 metrics
2012 Autobild 50 Tire Braking Test Auto Bild 2012 225/45 R17 20/45 0 metrics
2011 Auto Zeitung Max Performance Tire Test Auto Zeitung 2011 225/45 R17 14/14 0 metrics
2010 European Summer Tire Test ADAC 2010 225/45 r17 11/16 0 metrics
6
Tests
12th
Average
8th
Best
20th
Worst
Latest Tire Test Results
8th/9
Good resistance to aquaplaning, low rolling resistance, cheap
Low lateral stability, strong understeer and long braking distances on wet surfaces, slow response to steering and unbalanced behavior on dry surfaces
Not recommended
2017 Auto Bild UHP Tire Test
245/40 R18 • 2017
9th/9
Acceptable resistance to aquaplaning
Unbalanced handling and long braking distances on wet and dry roads. High noise levels
Not recommended
12th/16
Low wear
Weak in the wet

Questions and Answers for the Firestone Firehawk SZ90

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October 11, 2018

Hi Are Firestone SZ90 directional tires

No, the Firestone Firehawk SZ90 is an asymmetric tire.
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Top 3 Firestone Firehawk SZ90 Reviews

Given 54% while driving a Audi 2.0tdi 177 sline sportback (245/40 R18) on a combination of roads for 15 miles
Bought the tires just over a year ago. Noticed from the get go on wet roads the water displacement was very good. Quite noisy but you can get over that.

Around 25,000km later, the outside of the tires are below the legal limit whilst the inside have 3mm left (must be a recurring thing as an alignment was done on them when they were put on and other drivers have experienced this). This can also be seen in the back two tires but not as prominent. There’s probably another 15,000km-20,000km ish to get out of them.

Grand set of tires. Probably wouldn’t buy again. The next set going on the front are a pair of Goodyear eagle f1 asymmetric 6’s.
June 12, 2025
Given 46% while driving a Audi A4 2.0 TDI 140 SLine (245/40 R18) on a combination of roads for 16,250 spirited miles
These tires were solely on the rear of the car.

Wore out on the shoulder of the near side tire after approx. 26,000 km. The rest of the tire is about 2.5 mm, and about 3 mm left on the offside tire shoulder.

As they were only on the rear I can’t comment on steering feel, however, the rear was liable to stepping out on very wet roads. Not something I’d expect from a front wheel drive daily. Above 90 km/h the risk of aqauplaning the rear was high.

Comfort wasn’t the worst, they handled bumps relatively well. Noise was above average but not unbearable for long motorway journeys.
September 2, 2023
Given 53% while driving a Opel Corsa D 1.4 (195/50 R15) on a combination of roads for 15 average miles
I don't even care how this tires are on dry or wet road because you can't hear anything inside car except noise of tires, this noise make you mad, no chance to handle it, never again firestone
April 22, 2018

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Latest Firestone Firehawk SZ90 Reviews

Initial Impressions Review
Given 81% while driving a Mercedes Benz C180 (225/45 R17) on for 17,000 miles
Braking, grip, handling good on dry and wet. Comfort kinda poor, tire is a little noisy, wear below average.
March 13, 2026
Given 74% while driving a Volkswagen golf 2.0 gt tdi (225/45 R17 W) on mostly town for 18,000 easy going miles
Decent tires for the price. Wet grip good, dry grip good only negative is that they have started to crack at 3mm and 18000 miles.
December 22, 2017
Given 92% while driving a SEAT 1.4 TSI (195/55 R15) on mostly country roads for 80,000 average miles
Really great Tires. I had them on my new Seat. Lasted 80.000 km. They were used in all seasons. Great handling in every conditions. Hever had a problem with them. Great eaven on snow.
Very recommandable tire. I would buy it again for sure.
January 17, 2017
Given 86% while driving a Audi A3 2.0 TDI 140 (225/45 R17) on a combination of roads for 10,000 average miles
I'm really impressed by these tires. Had a quick look at the reviews here before buying and there were several negative ones, which almost turn my decision on buying them. But actually the tires are great in dry, wet, wet & cold handling and braking... They grip in turns with high speed and road feedback is good.
I can say they are a bit noisy, but it's not something bothering. Wear is less than 1mm after 15000km. Will buy again and recommend for sure!
October 28, 2016
Given 69% while driving a Rover 75 (225/45 R17) on a combination of roads for 100 spirited miles
I have recently bought a set of these tires for my car having been informed that they had a new tread pattern. I have found that they have good cornering and braking characteristics in wet or dry conditions on all road surfaces.

I recently took a friend who races street cars as a hobby for a drive on dual carriageways and motorway and he even remarked how quiet they were regarding road noise over other comparable makes.

I would definitely recommend these tires to anyone.
September 24, 2016
Given 20% while driving a Mitsubishi Lancer GLXi (225/45 R17) on a combination of roads for 27,000 spirited miles
These tires are hard, noisy and slippery compared with Pirelli Cinturato P1 and Fulda carat Progresso. Car is unstable on korners, not good handling on dry & wet surfaces and not safe feeling when driving faster on corners at all.
I recommend from my experience Fulda and Pirelli summer and winter tires.
These tires are not sport tires at all, I wouldn't buy again and don't recommend them to anyone.

August 16, 2016
Given 43% while driving a Audi A3 2.0T Sporkback (225/45 R17) on a combination of roads for 4,000 spirited miles
Very noisy after 90mph and feeling insecure eve tho I have sport suspension. Wouldnt buy again.
July 21, 2016
Given 61% while driving a SEAT Exeo (225/40 R18 W) on mostly town for 13,000 spirited miles
I replaced my Goodyear Eagle F1s, which I'd had on since the car was new, with the Firestone Firehawk SZ90u to try and save a few quid. But as soon as I drove away from the garage I could tell the difference. The car seemed more bouncier as I steered (not in a good way) and felt unstable. It felt like the car was swaying. I beared with it to see if it was just psychological but when I took some corners at what I deemed to be my usual way, the traction control would come on and the car didn't handle anything like it did with the Goodyears. I had never really noticed much difference in handling over the years when I've changed my tires but maybe as I'm driving a faster, sportier car that I enjoy driving well maybe this is the difference. I was that concerned I took my car back to the garage to ask them if they could check that nothing had been disturbed or fiddled with when changing the tires! A technician came out with me and drove the car but he couldn't notice anything wrong with the way it handled. I can only put it down to the difference in tires and when they showed me the difference in the side wall firmness between the Goodyear and the Firestone, the Goodyear are reinforced and solid, preventing rolling and improving stability. The Firestones have now worn on the outside circumference (fronts only) after approx. 13,000 miles, requiring replacement. The rest of the tire and the rears have plenty of tread left on them but I am putting Goodyear Eagle F1s back on the fronts for now and the rears when they're also worn. Hopefully I will get the trusty road holding and handling I was accustomed to again..
July 20, 2016
Opel Corsa 1.2 80Hp (195/50 R15) on a combination of roads for 13,000 easy going miles
My worse tires, very noisy- this noise make you crazy, after 15000 km I've decided bined them as couldn't use them any more, wear quite quick so in this tires is huge advantage, positive is good grip on wet and dry, fuel consumption was increased too. After this tires I won't buy any Firestone again
July 6, 2016
Given 73% while driving a BMW 316d (225/50 R17) on mostly motorways for 5,000 average miles
Run flat version. Very harsh. Good wear rate and dry grip but found slippery in the wet and despite many attempts at balancing struggled to get them them to settle, they just seemed skittish and unpredictable Replaced early.
December 24, 2015
Given 90% while driving a Ford Mustang GT (245/45 R17 W) on mostly country roads for 500 spirited miles
My second set of these tires as I was so impressed with them on my daily car, and they're just as capable on a much more powerful car.

Highly recommended, much better grip, comfort, stability and quieter than the tires they replaced.
August 29, 2015
Given 85% while driving a Ford Fiesta Zetec S (195/45 R16 V) on mostly country roads for 1,000 spirited miles
I've always bought Continental Sport Contact, but this time I decided to try out these Firestone Firehawk SZ90's.
I searched a lot online to try and find a comparison review between the Contis and the Firestones and unfortunately came up with nothing, but decided to take the plunge anyway.

I'm VERY impressed with these tires. Continental Sport Contact always finish high up in tire tests and I have to say the Firestone's are every bit as good even with my spirited driving style.

Both dry and wet grip is progressive and strong and I can feel absolutely NO deficit to the Continental tire. I see there is a review below that states the wet grip is poor, but either that reviewer is a complete maniac on the road, or there is something seriously wrong with their vehicle.

I highly recommend these tires and as an added bonus they were £20 per tire cheaper than the ContiSports. I can't comment on wear yet, but they are excellent in every other department.
August 24, 2015
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